What are some vegan breakfast smoothie recipes?

What is a simple vegan breakfast smoothie?

The easiest one has three ingredients: half a cup of rolled oats, 1 ripe banana and 1 cup of dairy-free milk. Blend the oats first until they become a fine, crumb-like powder, then add the banana and milk and blend until smooth. It takes a few minutes and needs only a blender.

More morning smoothie ideas

• Chocolate banana: add 1 teaspoon of cocoa powder and a spoonful of peanut butter.
• Berry oat: swap in a handful of frozen strawberries or blueberries.
• Banana bread: add cinnamon, almond butter and a scoop of vegan vanilla protein powder.
• Green: a handful of spinach barely changes the taste.

Choosing the plant milk

Oat, soy, almond and coconut drinks all work. Oat milk makes a creamy smoothie, soy adds more protein than most other plant milks, and almond is lighter. Choose unsweetened to control sugar, and look for fortified versions if you rely on them for calcium.

Make it keep you full

• Add a tablespoon of nut or seed butter, chia or ground flax.
• Use a vegan protein powder, following the label.
• Use a frozen banana for a thicker, colder drink.

Texture tips

Start with the amount of milk in the recipe and add more for a thinner drink, or less for a thicker one. Use certified gluten-free oats if you avoid gluten. Oats thicken as the smoothie sits, so drink it soon after blending.

Common mistakes

Adding fruit juice instead of milk makes the smoothie very sweet. Using raw, unblended oats leaves a gritty texture. Honey is not vegan, so use maple syrup or dates if you want more sweetness.